Micromachined optomechanical switching devices

ABSTRACT

Various configurations of micromachined optomechanical switching cells are disclosed herein. In accordance with the invention, an optomechanical switching cell is provided which includes an actuator positioned on a substrate and a mirror coupled to the actuator. The switching cell also includes an electrode disposed upon the substrate under the actuator. An insulator may also be interposed between the substrate and the electrode. In another aspect of the present invention the switching cell includes a latch having a first end region connected to the substrate and a second end region engaged by the mirror.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/134,438, entitled, “ASSEMBLY AND PACKAGING OF MICROMACHINED OPTICAL SWITCHES”, filed on May 28, 1999, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety including any drawings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of optical switching. More particularly, the invention relates to the design, fabrication, assembly and packaging of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology optomechanical switching cells, and N×M matrix switches composed thereof.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Optical switching plays a very important role in telecommunication networks, optical instrumentation, and optical signal processing systems. In telecommunication networks, fiber optic switches are used for network restoration, reconfiguration, and dynamic bandwidth allocation.

There are many different types of optical switches. In terms of the switching mechanism, optical switches can be divided into two general categories.

The first general category of optical switches employs a change of refractive index to perform optical switching. This first general category can be termed “electro-optic switches.” Actually, the refractive index change can be induced by electro-optic, thermal-optic, acousto-optic, or free-carrier effects. In the last of these examples, free carriers are generated by an electric charge introduced into a device, thereby causing a change in the material's dipoles, which in turn changes the material's index of refraction. Heretofore, the general category of electro-optic switches was generally employed in the case of coupled optical waveguides.

The second general category of optical switches employs physical motion of one, or more, optical elements to perform optical switching. In this way, a spatial displacement of a reflected beam is affected. This second general category can be termed “optomechanical switches.”

Optomechanical switches offer many advantages over electro-optic switches. Optomechanical switches have both lower insertion loss and lower crosstalk compared to electro-optic switches. Further, optomechanical switches have a high isolation between their ON and OFF states. Furthermore, optomechanical switches are bidirectional, and are independent of optical wavelength, polarization, and data modulation format. An optomechanical switch can be implemented either in a free-space approach or in a waveguide (e.g., optical fiber) approach. The free-space approach is more scalable, and offers lower coupling loss compared to the waveguide approach.

Macro-scale optomechanical switches employing external actuators are currently available. For example, conventional optomechanical switches are available from JDS, DiCon, AMP, and Hewlett Packard. However, one problem with this macro-scale optomechanical switch technology is that macro-scale optomechanical switches are bulky. Another problem with this technology is that macro-scale optomechanical switches require extensive manual assembly. Another problem with this technology is that the switching speed of macro-scale optomechanical switches is slow. For instance, the switching times for the currently commercially available optomechanical switches range from 10 milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds. An even more serious problem is that their switching times often depends on their specific switching path (i.e., how far is the distance from the next output port from the current output port). This variation of switching time as a function of spatial displacement is highly undesirable from a systems integration point of view. Therefore, what is needed is a solution that requires less bulk and less manual assembly, while simultaneously providing faster and more consistent switching speed.

Meanwhile, a number of different micromachining technologies have been developing. Micromachining offers many advantages for building optomechanical switches.

Micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology is a micromachining technique that uses a batch processing technique. Micro electro mechanical systems technology is similar to semiconductor electronics fabrication except that the resulting devices possess mechanical functionality, as well as electronic and/or optical functionality.

Micro electro mechanical systems technology is currently used to fabricate movable microstructures and microactuators. The use of micro electro mechanical systems technology to fabricate optomechanical switches can significantly reduce the size, weight, and cost of the resulting optomechanical switches.

Micro electro mechanical systems technology includes bulk-micromachining and surface-micromachining techniques. Both bulk-micromachining and surface-micromachining have been applied to fabricate fiber optic switches.

Many optomechanical switches employ movable micromirrors. Although there are many possible configurations for the micromirrors, vertical micromirrors (i.e., the mirror surface is perpendicular to the substrate) offer many advantages from the architecture and packaging point of view. Using vertical micromirrors, a simple matrix switch with a regular two-dimensional array of switching cells can be realized. In more detail, the input and output fibers can be arranged in the same plane as the matrix substrate. Further, packaging is greatly simplified in this configuration.

Most of the vertical micromirrors reported in the literature have been fabricated by one of five methods. The first method is anisotropic chemical etching of (110) silicon wafer (using, e.g., KOH solution). The second method is deep reactive ion etching (DRIE). The third method is electroplating or the LIGA process. The fourth method is flip-up micromirrors with surface-micromachined microhinges. The fifth method is torsion mirrors.

Referring to the first method, anisotropic etching of (110) silicon substrate can produce an atomically smooth micromirror surface. However, a problem with the anisotropic etching method is that monolithic integration of the micromirrors with the microactuators is difficult. In an attempt to address this problem, external bulk actuators have been used. In another approach to addressing this problem, the micromirror substrate is simply glued to a micro flap actuator. However, this is not a manufacturable process. Therefore, what is also needed is a solution that facilitates integration of the micromirrors with the microactuators while simultaneously yielding a manufacturable process.

Referring to the second method, direct reactive ion etching can produce vertical micromirrors with straight sidewalls (with an aspect ratio of approximately 50:1). However, a problem with the direct reactive ion etching method is that the surface of the etched sidewalls tend to be rough. The Bosch DRIE process produces a periodic corrugation on the sidewalls due to alternating etching/coating process. The actuators of DRIE mirrors are usually limited to comb drive actuators, which have a limited travel distance. Therefore, what is also needed is a solution that provides a smooth mirror surface while simultaneously providing a large travel distance.

Referring to the third method, a problem with electroplated micromirrors is that they often may not have straight or vertical sidewalls. The LIGA process can produce high quality micromirrors, however, it requires expensive X-ray lithography. Further, integration with the actuators is a difficult issue for LIGA micromirrors. Therefore, what is also needed is a solution that provides an economical straight mirror surface while simultaneously facilitating the integration of the micromirrors with the microactuators.

Referring to both the fourth and fifth methods, the microhinged mirrors and torsion micromirrors are usually made of polysilicon plates. However, chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) or other process is usually required to smooth the resulting mirror surface. This reduces the efficiency of the manufacturing process by significantly increasing the number of process steps. In addition, control of the mirror angle to within 0.5° as required by large matrix switches is difficult to achieve with microhinged mirrors and torsion micromirrors. Therefore, what is also needed is a solution that provides manufacturing efficiency while simultaneously providing the required control of the mirror angle.

Heretofore, the requirements of less bulk, less manual assembly, faster and more consistent switching speed, integration with actuators, smoothness and straightness of the mirror surface, sufficient mirror travel distance, economy, manufacturing efficiency, and control of the mirror angle referred to above have not been fully met. What is needed is a solution that simultaneously addresses all of these requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the invention is to provide an approach to integrating optomechanical switching cell micromirrors and microactuators that can be implemented on an optomechanical switching matrix scale, or even on a wafer scale. Another primary object of the invention is to provide an approach to self-assembling optomechanical switching cell micromirrors and/or microactuators. Another primary object of the invention is to provide an approach to making optimechanical switching cell micromirrors tilt-insensitive. Another primary object of the invention is to provide a microactuated optomechanical switching cell. Another primary object of the invention is to provide an optomechanical matrix switch architecture for uniform fiber coupling loss. Another primary object of the invention is to provide input/output power monitoring for an optomechanical matrix switch. Another primary object of the invention is to provide an optomechanical matrix switch with integrated microlenses. Another primary object of the invention is to provide an optomechanical matrix switch with integrated wavelength division multiplexers and/or demultiplexers. Another primary object of the invention is to provide on-chip hermetic sealing for an optomechanical matrix switch. Another primary object of the invention is to provide an approach to aligning optomechanical matrix switches with optical fiber ribbons.

In accordance with these objects, there is a particular need for the invention. Thus, it is rendered possible to simultaneously satisfy the above-discussed requirements of less bulk, less manual assembly, faster and more consistent switching speed, integration with actuators, smoothness and straightness of the mirror surface, sufficient mirror travel distance, economy, manufacturing efficiency, and control of the mirror angle, which, in the case of the prior art, are mutual contradicting and cannot be simultaneously satisfied.

A first aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on a method of making an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: joining a plurality of mirrors on a carrier to said plurality of actuators on a substrate; and removing said carrier from said plurality of mirrors so as to form a plurality of optomechanical switching cells on said substrate. A second aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on a method of making an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: positioning a plurality of mirrors adjacent a plurality of actuators on a substrate; joining said plurality of mirrors to said plurality of actuators so as to form a plurality of optomechanical switching cells. A third aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical switching cell, comprising a tilt-insensitive mirror. A fourth aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical switching cell, comprising: an actuator positioned on a substrate; and a mirror coupled to said actuator. A fifth aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled to said substrate, each of said plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled to said substrate, each of such plurality of optomechanical switching cells including a mirror and an actuator; and a switch architecture for uniform fiber coupling loss. A sixth aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled to said substrate, each of said plurality of optomechanical switching cells including a mirror and an actuator; and a means for input/output power monitoring. A seventh aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled to said substrate, each of said plurality of optomechanical switching cells including a mirror and an actuator; and a plurality of integrated microlenses coupled to said substrate. An eighth aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of optomechanical switching cells connected to said substrate, each of said plurality of optomechanical switching cells including a mirror and an actuator; and a plurality of integrated wavelength division devices coupled to said substrate. A ninth aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on an optomechanical matrix switch, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled to said substrate, each of said optomechanical switching cells including a mirror and an actuator; and a hermetic seal coupled to said substrate, said hermetic seal providing a substantially gas tight isolation of said plurality of optomechanical switching cells. A tenth aspect of the invention is implemented in an embodiment that is based on a method of aligning an optomechanical matrix switch with an optical waveguide, comprising: providing an optomechanical matrix switch on a positioning stage; providing an optical waveguide on a substrate; and positioning said optomechanical matrix switch by moving said positioning stage relative to said substrate.

These, and other, objects and aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the invention, and of the components and operation of model systems provided with the invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore nonlimiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate the same parts. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate schematic perspective views of a wafer scale assembly method, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate schematic perspective views of a mirror fabrication method, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate schematic perspective views of two different types of mirrors, representing embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a wafer scale assembly method, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate schematic views of a matrix of flat mirrors, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate schematic views of a matrix of two-dimensional (2D) retro-reflectors, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic side view of a thermal actuator based switch, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic side view of a parallel plate based switch, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate schematic views of a matrix architecture with uniform optical coupling loss, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate schematic views of two types of power monitoring capable matrixes, representing two embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate schematic views of a matrix having switches with integrated microlenses, representing two embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic top view of a matrix having switches and microlenses, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic top view of a matrix having switches with wave division multiplexing functionality, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a matrix with on-chip hermetic sealing, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic top view of a matrix with switches mounted on a positioning stage, representing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic side view of a matrix with switches mounted on a positioning stage.

FIG. 17 provides a side view of a MEMS optomechanical switch employing a bent-torsion-plate actuator.

FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) provide perspective and side views, respectively, of a preferred implementation of a spring latch in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the nonlimiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well known components and processing techniques are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail.

The below-referenced U.S. patent application discloses micromachined optomechanical switches. The entire contents of U.S. Ser. No. 09/093,644 are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein.

The context of the invention is communication systems, and/or computing systems, and/or any other systems where optical switching can be implemented. The invention can also utilize data processing methods that transform the optical signals so as to actuate interconnected discrete hardware elements, such as, for example, one or more of the optomechanical switching cells and/or one or more of the optomechanical matrix switches and/or one or more of the positioning stages.

Referring to the drawings, a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention is provided with respect to FIGS. 1A through 18. The most critical parameters for the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical switching cells and matrix switches are the smoothness and reflectivity of the micromirrors; the angular variation of the micromirrors when they direct the input beams to the output ports (e.g., fibers); and the actuation mechanism. The quality and angular variation of the micromirror depends on the fabrication technique for the micromirror and how it is integrated with the actuator.

A. Wafer-Scale Mirror Attachment

The invention includes a wafer-scale, batch processing technique for fabricating high-quality mirrors for micro electro mechanical systems optical switches. This aspect of the invention is based on fabricating the micromirrors and the actuators separately on two different wafers, and then bonding the two wafers together with each individual micromirror bonded to an individual microactuator.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, a micromirror wafer 110 includes a plurality of micromirrors 120 positioned on a substrate 125. An actuator wafer 130 includes a plurality of actuators 140 positioned on a carrier 145. The actuator wafer 130 and the plurality of actuators can be fabricated using MEMS technology. The micromirror wafer 110 is depicted being lowered toward the actuator wafer 130 in FIG. 1A, but the two wafers can be brought together in any orientation.

After the two wafers are brought together, the plurality of micromirrors 120 are joined to the plurality of actuators 140. The substrate of the micromirror wafer 110 (which can be termed a carrier) is then removed from the micromirrors. This leaves a plurality of optomechanical switching cells 150 arranged on the substrate.

This approach, particularly when implemented at a wafer scale, has at least two important advantages. First, the micromirrors and the actuators are independently optimized. High quality micromirrors and efficient actuators are thereby achieved simultaneously in a single matrix switch. Second, more accurate control of the micromirror angles is achieved. The variation in the angle of the micromirrors is determined by the ratio of the thickness variation of the bonding layer to the maximum dimension of the wafer normal to the micromirror. For example, with bonded mirrors, the variation of the bonding layer (glue) thickness across the mirror (or wafer for batch process) will cause the mirrors to tilt to various degrees. In the batch process, the mirrors are put on all at once. In the alternative (when they are put on one by one), the tolerance of alignment is determined by the size of the mirrors. When the mirrors are attached on a wafer scale, the tolerance is determined by the wafer size and not the micro-mirror. When the mirrors are bonded one at a time, it usually results in a large variation of mirror angles. Using the wafer-scale bonding, the baseline is extended to the entire wafer. For example, the angular variation is reduced to 0.003° when micromirrors on 4-inch wafers are bonded directly, assuming the bonding layer thickness variation is 10 um. This is to be compared to the angular variation of 3° when a single mirror with 100-um-wide base is bonded to the actuator.

The micromirrors can be fabricated by anisotropic etching of (110) silicon wafer using KOH, or by other wet or dry etching techniques. The micromirrors can also be fabricated on non-silicon wafers such as quartz. In more detail, the micromirrors can be dry-etched on quartz wafer.

The micro electro mechanical systems chips will need to be handled with extreme care, particularly at the dicing stage. The micro electro mechanical systems devices cannot be released before dicing, thus releasing cannot be done as a wafer-scale processing step. This means that after fabrication, the actuators and moveable structures are held rigid by the dielectric materials deposited in between the structural layers (polysilicon). After the micro electro mechanical systems chips are diced, the dielectric layers are selectively removed (this process is called releasing). Then the structures are free to move or be assembled into 3D structures.

Without limiting the invention, the actuator can take the form of electrostatic torsion plates. Examples of other actuators include thermal actuators, bimorph actuators, electromagnetic actuators, torsion plate actuators with permalloy, and actuators based on stress-induced bending and/or electrostatic force.

A biomorph actuator can be a beam composed of a sandwich of two dissimilar materials. The two beams have different thermal expansion coefficient for a thermal biomorph. By putting a voltage or heat on this combination the two metals behave differently and cause the beam to bend. Therefore, a temperature rise will cause the beam to bend. Alternatively, the beams may consist of piezoelectric materials with opposite orientation so that one beam contracts while the other extends when a voltage is applied.

A thermal actuator is similar to a thermal bimorph, but instead of two layers being attached to each other, two beams are attached to each other. Again, a different thermal expansion coefficient will cause the beams to buckle. The heat can be provided by passing a current through beams that are conductive and generate heat as resistive heaters.

In general, any microactuator having a displacement greater than the outgoing beam diameter can be used. The optical beam is usually expanded and collimated, and the beam diameters are typically on the order of approximately 100 um to approximately 1000 um.

The micromirror wafer and the actuator wafer can be bonded together by known bonding techniques: including fusion bonding, eutectic bonding, anodic bonding, and epoxy bonding. Anodic bonding is carried out between glass and doped silicon materials at elevated temperature with high voltage. Fusion bonding is a thermo-compression bonding process, where the treated mating surfaces are brought in contact at elevated temperature and pressure. Eutectic bonding is bonding formed between two mating surface in presence of an eutectic interface material. The interface material is heated to a temperature above eutectic melting point of that interface material. For example, AuSn on one surface and Au on the other surface will be used for eutectic bonding at 370 degrees C. Epoxy bonding: Epoxy is essentially like a glue. Ultraviolet (UV) sensitive epoxy can be used and can be cured by exposing the epoxy to UV light. Different types of bonding processes have different reaction temperatures and different requirements on the interface (Si, glass, or metal coated).

B. Self-Assembled Micromirror Blocks

The invention includes a optomechanical matrix switch based on self-assembled mirror blocks. Referring to FIG. 2, a low-cost method for fabricating high quality micromirrors is depicted. Instead of wafer-scale fabrication, the micromirrors can be obtained by dicing a section of square quartz rod 210. The section of square quartz rod 210 can be fabricated at very low cost. It is separated into a plurality of individual mirror blocks 220 by dicing or cleaving the quartz rod. The section of square quartz rod can be coated with gold before dicing to increase mirror reflectivity.

Referring to FIG. 3, the shape and length of sections 310 and 320 that are diced from the rod can be made assymetric so that only a gold-coated side 315 and 320 will face the optical beams.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mirror blocks 410 can be dropped into a fixture 420 with arrays of alignment grooves (not shown) and holes 430. The fixture 420 is aligned with an actuator wafer 440. The mirror blocks for the entire N×M switch array can then be bonded to actuator wafer simultaneously. A weight 450 can be applied to exert a force to assist in the bonding. The attachment of micromirror blocks can also extended to fluidic self-assembly, voltage assisted self-assembly, DNA-assisted self assembly, magnetic assisted self-assembly, etc. A significant advantage of this self-assembly process is that no individual mirror placement or alignment is needed. A further advantage of this approach is that very high quality mirrors can be obtained by low-cost fabrication processes.

C. Tilt-Insensitive Micromirrors

The invention includes optomechanical matrix switches based on tilt-insensitive mirrors. Because of the long optical path between the micromirrors and the output fibers in large N×M (e.g., N×N) matrix switches, one of the most critical parameters for the micromirrors is tilt angle.

Referring to FIG. 5A, an optomechanical matrix switch 510 is depicted. The switch 510 includes a plurality of optomechanical switching cells 520. FIGS. 5B-5C illustrate sections taken along line AA in FIG. 5A. Referring to FIG. 5B, in the ideal case, the cells 520 do not exhibit mirror tilting. Referring to FIG. 5C, when a tilt is present, it results in walk-off of the output optical beams reflected from different micromirrors. This will result in large variation of the output coupling efficiency (insertion loss). The invention can include the use of orthogonally arranged mirror facets that will significantly reduce the tilt sensitivity. Instead of using flat micromirrors as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, a two-dimensional (2D) retroreflector can be used to direct input beams to the output fibers.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, an embodiment of the tilt-insensitive mirror invention is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 6A, a micro retroreflector 610 composes part of an optomechanical switching cell 620. The principle of the operation of the retroreflector 610 is shown in FIGS. 6A-6C. When the retroreflector 610 is titled as in FIG. 6C, the reflected beams are still parallel to the input beam, and the walk-off problem is substantially eliminated. The retroreflectors can be termed corner cubes. The essential elements of a corner cube is two orthogonal mirrors.

D. Microactuated Optomechanical Switching Cells

Using the wafer scale mirror attachment and self assembly fabrication methods described above, many different types of switching cells can be realized. Some specific examples of optomechanical switching cells suitable for N×M micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) switches follow.

EXAMPLE (1)

The CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) transistor process is a low-cost commercial foundry process. Various types of micro electro mechanical systems actuators can be made using the CMOS technology. The main issue for fabricating optical matrix switches using CMOS is the difficulty of integrating high quality vertical micromirrors with the microactuators. Wafer-scale micromirror bonding techniques are particularly well suited to making CMOS-based micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical matrix switches. Two specific subexamples directed to specific types of CMOS microactuators include a thermal actuator and a parallel plate actuator.

Referring to FIG. 7, a CMOS thermal actuator includes a cantilever beam 710 with materials of very different thermal expansion coefficients. A first material 720 of higher thermal expansion coefficient will shrink when the temperature is reduced, and deflect the cantilever beam 710 upward, if the left edge of a second material 730 (of lower expansion coefficient) is prevented from sliding to the left by a structure (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 8, a parallel plate actuator can be realized by undercutting a CMOS multilayer structure 810 with selective etching. Parallel plate actuators are electrostatic force between two parallel plates to move one moveable plate towards the other fixed plate. By applying a bias between an upper CMOS layer 820 and a bottom 830 of an etched cavity 840, a suspended CMOS plate 850 can be attracted downward.

An alternative CMOS embodiment is two plates that form a wedge rather than a parallel structure (e.g., a > shape). In this embodiment, assuming the lower plate is fixed, displacing the radially supported actuator (upper plate) toward, or away from, the lower plate will open and close the wedge. The main advantages of the CMOS actuators include low cost, broad availability of CMOS process, and monolithic integration with CMOS drive electronics.

EXAMPLE (2)

Another example includes stress-induced electrostatic gap-closing actuators with bonded vertical micromirror. A stress can be used to generate an electric field using a piezoelectric structure.

EXAMPLE (3)

Another example includes a torsion plate with bonded vertical micromirror. The torsion plate includes a micromachined plate that is mechanically hinged about a pivot axis to a substrate.

EXAMPLE (4)

Another example includes a torsion plate with a permalloy layer and bonded vertical micromirrors. Permalloy is a brand name for any of a class of alloys of high magnetic permeability containing from approximately 30 to approximately 90 percent, by weight, of nickel. Thus, the torsion plate can be displaced with a magnetic field.

EXAMPLE (5)

Another example includes a vertical mirrors on torsion plate configured to move with a push-pull electrostatic force. Thus, the torsion plate can be displaced with an electric field.

E. Matrix Switch Architecture for Uniform Fiber Coupling Loss

Most of the volume of an optomechanical matrix switch is composed of an array of free-space optical switches, an input fiber array, and an output fiber array. Such arrangement, however, has non-uniform optical insertion losses. In more detail, assuming the ends of the fiber are coplanar, the optical path length is different when each switching cell is activated (e.g., the optical path length of input #1 to output #1 is less than that of input #1 to output #8).

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9B, the invention includes an optomechanical matrix switch architecture that will have uniform optical coupling loss, independent of which switch is activated. A series of input fibers 910 are coupled to a substrate 920. An array of optomechanical switching cells 930 is arranged on the substrate 920. A series of output fibers 940 are also connected to the substrate 920. By staggering the input and output fibers with increments equal to the size of the switch cell, an equal optical path length is approximated. Thus, it can be appreciated that the path length from input fiber #4 to output fiber #1 is approximately equal to the path length from input fiber #2 to output fiber #1. The staggered configuration depicted in FIG. 9A will result in a more uniform optical-insertion loss.

Referring to FIG. 9B, an input fiber 950 can be provided with a lens 960. Similarly, an output fiber 970 can be provided with a lens 980.

F. Matrix Switch with On-Chip Input/Output Power Monitoring

Monitoring of the input and output powers of an optical matrix switch is very desirable for the application of the switch in telecommunication networks. Power monitoring can be effected with photodetector arrays. Because of the compact construction, the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical switch of the invention offers unique advantages for integrating the photodetector arrays on the switch chip for power monitoring. The cost of adding this function to the switch is much lower for the monolithic micro electro mechanical systems switches than for macro scale optomechanical switches.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate two architectures of the micro electro mechanical systems optical switch with input/output power monitoring capabilities. Referring to FIG. 10A, a plurality of vertical beamsplitters 1040 can be employed to deflect part of the optical beams to an input photodetector array 1010 and an output photodetector array 1020. The deflection in this embodiment is coplanar with a substrate 1050.

Referring to FIGS. 10B-10C, in an alternative embodiment, a plurality of 45° beamsplitters 1060 can be employed to reflect part of the optical beams out of the switch plane to the photodetector arrays 1070 above the micro electro mechanical systems optical switch chip 1080. The deflection in this embodiment is perpendicular to a substrate 1090.

In either embodiment, the beamsplitters should be almost transparent (e.g., 1% reflection) to reduce the optical insertion loss. The beamsplitters 1040 in FIG. 10(a) could be monolithically fabricated with the micro electro mechanical systems chip using the surface-micromachining microhinge technique. It is also possible to mount high quality external beamsplitters on the chip. The beamsplitters 1060 in FIGS. 10B-10C could be fabricated monolithically, or attached to the packages of the photodetector arrays so that the beamsplitter/photodetectors could be simply dropped onto the micro electro mechanical systems switch chip.

In either embodiment, with the unique micro electro mechanical systems optical switch construction, it is also possible to attach a photodetector array 1005 at the opposite end of the input fibers to monitor possible failure micro electro mechanical systems micromirrors. For normal switch operation, at least one of the micromirrors in each column will be turned on. Therefore, no photocurrent will be registered in the photodetector array 1005. By combining information from the photodetector array 1005 with information from the output power monitoring, it is possible to identify failed micromirrors. A suitable photo-detector device can be provided by a p-n junction, for example, In Ga As, or Silicon or GaAs.

G. Optomechanical Matrix Switch with Integrated Microlenses

The size of the micro electro mechanical systems optical switch is limited by the maximum coupling distance between the input and the output fibers. To facilitate optical alignment, fiber collimators are employed for both input and output fibers. The maximum coupling distance between the input and output collimators determines the maximum size of the switch. For example, if the maximum coupling distance is 2 cm, and the switch cell area is 1 mm×1 mm, then the largest switch that can be realized is 10×10. To increase the dimension of the switch, it is therefore desirable to be able to extend the coupling distance without sacrificing the coupling efficiency.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, the invention includes integrating microlenses on the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical switching cells 1110. This will extend the coupling distance without sacrificing the coupling efficiency. Referring to FIGS. 11B-11C, the microlenses can be directly formed on the surface of the micromirror 1120. FIG. 11C illustrates a schematic drawings of the micromirror 1120 with an integrated diffractive microlens 1130. FIG. 11B illustrates a schematic drawing of the micromirror 1120 with an integrated refractive microlens 1140. The microlenses function as relay lenses to extend the coupling distance while maintaining the same optical insertion loss. It is noted that the microlens for each micromirror should be different for uniform coupling efficiency.

The diffractive and refractive microlenses 1130 and 1140 can be integrated with surface-micromachined micro electro mechanical systems structures. A refractive lens can be integrated on a micro electro mechanical systems flip up structure.) The integrated microlens acts as a relay lens. As the beam is loosing collimation, these integrated microlenses bring the beam back into collimation (parallel beams once again). Refractive lenses can be made with grinding glass, or moulding glass, or putting a gradient index in a cylinder of glass (GRIN). Diffractive lenses can be made by moulding or etching indentations in a piece of glass or other material according to a computer generated set of masks.

Referring to FIG. 12, a plurality of microlenses 1210 can also be integrated in between two of a plurality of micro electro mechanical systems micromirrors 1220 to extend the coupling distance. This is equivalent to stitching smaller micro electro mechanical systems optical switches together to form a larger dimension switch while maintaining almost the same optical insertion loss.

In either the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, or the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, without the microlenses, due to Gaussian optics, the collimated beam will diverge again after a certain distance. This is known as throw distance. For large matrix switches it is highly desirable for the beam to stay collimated (otherwise it will become bigger than the switch and clipping loss will occur). Having another lens to “help” it stay collimated is the main purpose of integrating the lens onto the mirror itself.

H. Matrix Switch with Integrated WDM Components

Referring to FIG. 13, the invention includes providing an optomechanical matrix switch 1310 with one or more wavelength division devices 1320. The wavelength division devices 1320 can include wavelength division multiplexers and/or wavelength division demultiplexers. The wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) components can be integrated with the micro electro mechanical systems optical switch to form more functional WDM micro electro mechanical systems switches. One particular embodiment of such device is shown in FIG. 13. Instead of micromirrors, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13 includes WDM components. For example, a first WDM micromirror 1330 reflects wavelength λ1 only when the mirror is turned on; a second WDM micromirror 1340 reflects λ2 only when the WDM mirror is turned on; etc. Such a device can perform selective WDM add-drop multiplexing as well as optical switching. It is more powerful than combining discrete optical switches and external WDM multiplexers and/or demultiplexers. This means that the switch can be combined with WDM multiplexers/demultiplexers to form wavelength-selective add/drop filters that are programmable. It is better than combining a separate switch and a separate WDM filter because the coupling loss is reduced (there is no need to couple into fiber and then expand the beam from the fiber again).

I. Matrix Switch with On-Chip Hermetic Sealing

Hermetic sealing is very important for the operation of micro electro mechanical systems actuators and to reduce in-use stiction. Conventional hermetic sealing is applied at the package level.

The invention includes on-chip hermetic sealing. On-chip hermetic sealing is very attractive for optical micro electro mechanical systems devices. Since the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical devices are accessed by optical beams, the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical devices can actually be sealed before dicing the chip.

Referring to FIG. 14, an optomechanical matrix switch 1410 with on-chip hermetic sealing feature is depicted. A sealing structure 1420 (e.g., a transparent cap) is connected to a substrate 1430.

In this way, the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical matrix switches can be fabricated by connecting the mirrors to the actuators at a wafer scale. Then the constraining structure that holds the actuators can be released. Then the devices can be hermetically sealed with the transparent cap. After sealing, the wafer can be treated as integrated circuit (IC) wafers, and be diced.

J. Alignment of Matrix Switch with Fiber Ribbons

One of the unique advantages of the invention is the dramatically simplified optical packaging procedure. The input and output fibers can be integrated monolithically with the micro electro mechanical systems optical switching chip by etching V-grooves for aligning the fibers. This will totally eliminate the optical alignment step in packaging. However, some optical alignment may be necessary because of the non-perfect angle of the micromirrors.

The invention includes a micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical matrix switch combined with fiber ribbons. By employing fiber ribbons for the input and output fibers, the optical alignment is greatly simplified. Instead of aligning 2N individual fibers, there is only a need to align 2 fiber ribbons.

Moreover, referring to FIG. 15, the invention also includes combining a micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical matrix switch 1510 with output fibers 1520 and input fibers 1530 located in V-grooves provided on a fiber-package chip 1540. By mounting the fiber ribbons on V-grooves on the same silicon (Si) substrate, all fibers are automatically aligned. Thus, the only alignment that needs to be effected, is alignment of the fiber-package chip 1540 to the chip upon which the micro electro mechanical systems optomechanical matrix switch 1510 is located.

Still referring to FIG. 15, by placing the micro electro mechanical systems chip on a 5-axis stage 1550. the micro electro mechanical systems chip can be perfectly aligned to the fiber-package chip.

Referring to FIG. 16, the mirror tilting angle is a critical parameter. A fiber package chip 1610 includes a plurality of optical fibers 1620 and a cylindrical lens 1630. A micro electro mechanical systems matrix switch chip 1640 includes a plurality of micro mirrors 1650. Even with perfect design, the mirror angle might still deviate slightly from 90°. With two degrees of freedom in rotation, this non-ideal mirror angle can be corrected during the packaging step. The tilt control restores the mirror to perfect 90° angle, while the rotation and linear translations accurately position the micro electro mechanical systems chip. Perfect alignment is represented in FIG. 16 by arrowheads pointing in opposite directions on a single ray.

K. Surface Electrodes for Electrostatic Actuator

FIG. 17 provides a side view of a MEMS optomechanical switch 1700 employing a bent-torsion-plate actuator 1710. Two rigid plates 1712 and 1714 are joined together at an angle and are connected to the same torsion beam to form the bent-torsion-plate actuator 1710. The torsion beam (not shown) is attached to a “primary torsion plate” 1712, on which a vertical micromirror 1720 is integrated. The “secondary torsion plate” 1714 is bent upward and connected to the primary torsion plate 1712 by either microhinges or reshaped torsion beams (not shown), and may be further secured by one or more spring latches 1722. Each spring latch 1722 is biased in position by a torsion spring (not shown) coupled to the secondary torsion plate 1714.

The MEMS optomechanical switch 1700 further includes “primary” and “secondary” surface electrodes 1728 and 1730 disposed below the primary torsion plate 1712 and the secondary torsion plate 1714, respectively. The surface electrodes 1728 and 1730 are mounted upon an insulator 1734, which in turn is mounted upon substrate surface 1738. The surface electrodes 1728 and 1730 enhance the predictability and reliability of the electrostatic actuator 1710 by substantially reducing charge accumulation at the upper surface of the insulator 1734. The addition of the surface electrodes 1712 and 1714 also desirably increases the applicable breakdown voltage.

L. Latch Structure

FIGS. 18(a) and 18(b) provide perspective and side views, respectively, of a preferred implementation of the spring latch 1722. Specifically, the spring latch 1722 includes an arm member 1750 having a wide portion 1754 and a narrow portion 1758. The inclusion of the narrow portion 1758 substantially minimizes changes in length along the longitudinal axis of latch 1722, but permits the latch to flex in the direction 1760 perpendicular to such axis. The spring latch further includes a notched portion 1764 engaged by a complementary slot (not shown) defined by the primary torsion plate 1712 An end portion 1768 opposite the notched portion 1764 is attached to the secondary torsion plate 1714.

Practical Applications of the Invention

A practical application of the invention that has value within the technological arts is in telecommunication networks, optical instrumentation, and optical signal processing systems. In telecommunication networks, the invention can be applied to network restoration, reconfiguration, and dynamic bandwidth allocation. For instance, the invention can be embodied in an optical crossbar switch (N×M matrix switch) which is a general purpose switch that is very useful for reconfiguring large telecommunication fiber optic networks, restoration of services and dynamic allocation of bandwidth. There are virtually innumerable uses for the invention, all of which need not be detailed here.

Advantages of the Invention

An optomechanical switch made with micro electro mechanical systems technology offers significant advantages over conventional optomechanical switches for realizing optical crossbar switches. Since the surface area (footprint) of a micro electro mechanical systems fabricated switching cell is very small (e.g., from a few hundred micrometers to a few millimeters), an entire N×M switching matrix can be monolithically integrated on a single substrate (e.g., a single silicon integrated circuit chip). This significantly reduces the packaging cost of the switch. It also enables the entire switch to be hermetically packaged, which is a very important factor for the switch to satisfy the temperature and humidity requirements such as those in the Bellcore standard.

The switching time can also be reduced because of their higher resonant frequency. The resonant frequency is proportional to the square root of the ratio of spring constant and mass. Switch cells fabricated in accordance with the invention can be much smaller (e.g., 10-100 smaller) physically than bulk mechanical switches. Consequently, switch cells fabricated in accordance with the invention can have smaller mass and, therefore, a higher resonant frequency. The higher resonant frequency is directly proportional to the speed of switching of the device. Furthermore, an optomechanical switch made with micro electro mechanical systems technology can be more rugged than the macro-scale switches because the inertial forces are much smaller in the micro-scale switches.

All the disclosed embodiments of the invention described herein can be realized and practiced without undue experimentation. Although the best mode of carrying out the invention contemplated by the investors is disclosed above, practice of the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

For example, the individual components need not be formed in the disclosed shapes, or assembled in the disclosed configuration, but could be provided in virtually any shape, and assembled in virtually any configuration. Further, the individual components need not be fabricated from the disclosed materials, but could be fabricated from virtually any suitable materials. Further, although the N×M matrices are described herein as physically separate modules, it is understood that the matrices may be integrated into the apparatus with which they are associated. Furthermore, all the disclosed elements and feature of each disclosed embodiment can be combined with, or substituted for, the disclosed elements and features of every other disclosed embodiment except where such elements or features are mutually exclusive.

It is understood that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. It is intended that the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents cover all such additions, modifications, and rearrangements. The appended claims are not to be interpreted as including means-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase “means-for.” Expedient embodiments of the invention are differentiated by the appended subclaims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optomechanical switching cell, comprising: an actuator coupled to a substrate via a hinge, said actuator comprising a first segment and a second segment; a mirror coupled to said actuator; an electrode disposed on the substrate under said actuator; and a latch connected to the first segment and the second segment.
 2. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 1 further including an insulator disposed between said substrate and said electrode.
 3. An optomechanical switching cell, comprising: an actuator positioned on a substrate, said actuator comprising a first segment and a second segment; a mirror coupled to said actuator; and a latch having a first end region connected to said first segment and a second end region engaged by said second segment.
 4. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 3 wherein said latch is substantially wider proximate said second end region than proximate said first end region.
 5. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 3 further including an electrode disposed on the substrate under said actuator.
 6. An optomechanical switching cell, comprising: an actuator positioned on a substrate, said actuator being bent about an axis to form first and second plate segments and said actuator being disposed to pivot about the substrate along said axis; a mirror coupled to said actuator; a first electrode disposed on the substrate under said first plate segment; and a latch connected to the first and second plate segments.
 7. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 6 further including a second electrode disposed on the substrate under said second plate segment.
 8. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 6 further including an insulator disposed between said substrate and said first electrode.
 9. An optomechanical switching cell, comprising: a substrate; a bent plate actuator, comprising a first segment and a second segment joined about an axis, the bent plate actuator coupled to the substrate; a mirror coupled to a first segment of the bent plate actuator; and a latch, wherein the latch is connected to the first segment and the second segment.
 10. An optomechanical switching cell, comprising: a substrate; a bent plate actuator, comprising a first segment and a second segment joined about an axis, the bent plate actuator coupled to the substrate; a mirror coupled to a first segment of the bent plate actuator; a first electrode capable of receiving an electrical signal, the f first electrode and f first segment capable of generating an electrically induced force therebetween; and a latch connected to the first segment and the second segment.
 11. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 10 further comprising: a second electrode capable of receiving an electrical signal, the second electrode and the second segment capable of generating an electrically induced force therebetween.
 12. The optomechanical switching cell of claim 11 wherein the bent plate actuator is coupled to the substrate about the axis of the bent plate actuator.
 13. A MEMS based optical switching cell, comprising: a substrate; an actuator comprising a first segment having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second segment, the proximal end of the first segment mounted to the substrate; a mirror having a reflective surface, the mirror being mounted to the distal end of the first segment; an electrode capable of generating an electrically induced force between the electrode and the actuator; and a latch connected to the first segment and the second segment; wherein the distal end of the first segment is capable of moving in response to a change in the electrically induced force.
 14. The MEMS based optical switching cell of claim 13, wherein the reflective surface of the mirror displaces in substantially a single plane, in response to movement of the distal end of the actuator.
 15. The MEMS based optical switching cell of claim 13, wherein the second segment is attached to the proximal end of the first segment.
 16. The MEMS based optical switching cell of claim 15 further comprising a second electrode, the second electrode capable of receiving an electrical signal, wherein the second electrode is positioned so as to selectively generate an electrically induced force between the second electrode and the second segment. 